Pat LaFontaine (pictured) and the Buffalo Sabres have received permission from Boston to speak with Bruins assistant GM Jim Benning, according to a wide variety of sources, including CSNNE.com.

Numerous reports indicate that Benning joins the following list of candidates: Jason Botterill, Rick Dudley and Paul Fenton. The CBC’s Elliotte Friedman points out that Benning, Botterill and Dudley have some connections to the Buffalo organization.

Friedman provides some insight, asking how Benning would feel if the Sabres believe that their rebuild can be a quick one:

I’d love to hear Benning’s answer to this question. His playing career was hurt when Toronto Maple Leafs rushed him (with Fred Boimistruck and Bob McGill) in 1981. He is probably the least known of the candidates. But it was a huge loss (and Boston’s gain) when he left during the Tom Golisano era. Benning has some very big fans in the scouting community. “Do not sleep on his chances,” one source said.

Nice to see the Bruins allow the interview and I would be happy to see Benning get such a big promotion and opportunity. He is a great scout and true hockey guy but his best quote will forever be about Seguin,”If we get guys that we think we can [win] with, then it is what it is. We’re winning every year, we’re not babysitting.”